Renault launches fastest ever road car

RENAULT has revealed its fastest ever road car – the Megane Renaultsport 265 Trophy coupe, which lifts the power levels of the highly acclaimed 250 Trophy model sold in Australia.

However, Renault Australia spokesperson Emily Ambrosy told GoAuto the latest limited-edition model is “not available to Australia at this time”.

Named in recognition of the power output in horsepower, the most potent Renaultsport model to date gets an extra 15hp (11kW) as well as 20Nm more torque from its 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine.

With a reported 265hp (198kW) at 5500rpm and 360Nm from 3000 to 5000rpm (a fatter torque band than before), the hot hatch will accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 6.0 seconds – one-tenth faster than its already rapid predecessor – on its way to a top speed of 254km/h (up by 4km/h).

To be officially introduced this weekend at a race meeting at the famed Nurburgring circuit in Germany, the 265 Trophy is sure to be in strong demand with only 500 examples to be produced for worldwide distribution, including 50 for Britain.

The French marque’s engineers increased power by raising the engine’s maximum turbo pressure to 2.5 bar (up by 0.2) and revising the air intake to take account of the higher pressure and running temperatures.

Fuel efficiency has been optimised to return combined-cycle consumption of 8.2L/100km, with CO2 emissions of 190g/km, a saving of 0.2L/100km and 5g/km.

Based on the Cup chassis (with its stiffer springs, dampers and anti-roll bar, grooved brake discs and limited slip differential), the latest Renaultsport model boasts a new tyre the company claims contributes to “exceptional road-holding on dry roads, especially through tighter turns, as well as in the wet”.

The design of the Potenza RE050A’s asymmetric, directional tread pattern and the form of its tread blocks are said to be the result of Bridgestone’s Formula One experience, with the outer part of the tread similar to racing slicks while the inner section is modeled on F1 wet-weather tyres.

The new tyres are fitted to 19-inch Gloss Black STEEV wheels with red piping.

Other visual elements of the new Renaultsport Megane flagship include a new rear lip spoiler, LED daytime-running lights and a black roof, while a “Sirius Yellow” metallic paint finish is available as an alternative to white, black or grey paint.

Inside, the RS features Recaro bucket seats (fabric or leather, depending on market) and a central display showing a range of information from the racing-style onboard data-logging system.

The Megane Renaultsport is one of the three best-selling hot hatches in Europe, topping the sales charts in both France and Spain.